DeSoto police say a licensed gun owner stopped a robber outside a DeSoto Waffle House, where the suspect had entered armed with an AK-47, robbing several customers as well as the restaurant.

Police said in a press release that they found the suspect, later identified as 26-year-old Antione Devon Cooper of Dallas, lying in the parking lot when they arrived on the scene.

They interviewed witnesses and complainants at the scene who verified that Cooper had robbed several of the patrons and the eatery. One of those robbery victims was a licensed handgun owner and armed with a pistol.

Witnesses say Cooper left the restaurant and was in the parking lot when the gun owner/customer followed him, saying he feared Cooper would harm someone. When the customer called out to Cooper, Cooper turned and pointed the rifle towards him, the release said. The customer then shot Cooper several times.

Cooper was transported to a DeSoto-area hospital, where he was listed Wednesday as being on life support.

The customer was not arrested at the scene and police say the incident will continue to be investigated and referred to a grand jury.

Detectives were able to identify Cooper after they released photos of tattoos on his arms, legs and forehead.